Bojjannakonda

Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two rock-cut caves of Buddhist origin on adjacent hillocks situated near the village of Sankaram, Anakapalle of ancient Kalinga in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The sites are believed to have been established between the 4th and 9th centuries AD, when Buddhism was the majority religion of Sankaram (Sangharam).

Sankaram is a small village situated about a mile to the east of Anakapalli in the Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh.

The hills contain monolithic stupas, rock-cut caves, chaityas and monasteries forming one of the most remarkable Buddhist establishments in Andhra Pradesh during the period.

The name of the village Sankaram is evidently a corruption of Sangharam (Boudha-arama, i.e., vihara) as these Buddhist establishments are generally known.

One main cave has sixteen pillars, or which five are broken, and it features a monolithic stupa in the centre.

The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage, (INTACH), has appealed to the authorities to ensure better protection of Buddhist sites by taking up the declaration of Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavurallakonda and Bojjannakonda as UNESCO heritage sites.